Shortlists revealed for ICC April Players of the Month

• Top performing captains at the ICC Women’s CWC 2025 Qualifier form the ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist

• Test and ODI wicket-takers dominate the candidates for ICC Men’s Player of the Month

• More about the ICC Player of the Month awards is available here

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the shortlist of contenders in line to win the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for April.

The ICC Women’s Player of the Month nominees comprise three leading all-rounders who played starring roles in last month’s hotly contested ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier in Pakistan.

Fatima Sana was in inspired form during April, leading Pakistan to claim a World Cup spot with a string of memorable performances during an unbeaten week on home soil. Kathryn Bryce also enjoyed a stellar month leading Scotland, and ended as the competition’s leading run-scorer. Hayley Matthews of the West Indies completes the shortlist, and will be aiming to win her fourth Player of the Month accolade with runs and wickets flowing during the month.

The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist features standout performers in the Bangladesh-Zimbabwe Test series and an emerging New Zealand pacer.

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz made telling contributions at both ends of the crease in Bangladesh’s tied Test series against Zimbabwe, earning his first nomination for ICC Men’s Player of the Month. Likewise on the opposing side, Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani enjoyed significant success with the ball in hand to earn his side a share of the spoils. New Zealand’s Ben Sears becomes the third and final name on the shortlist after blistering spells in his side’s 3-0 ODI sweep over Pakistan.

An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world will now be invited to cast their votes to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans are now able to vote for their favourite performers at icc-cricket.com/awards.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for April:

Kathryn Bryce (SCO)

Scotland’s talisman once again demonstrated outstanding form in an ICC qualifying event despite falling short of sealing a spot at this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Leading from the front, the 27-year-old skipper blasted 293 runs over her five games at an average of 73.25 which included notable knocks of 91 against hosts Pakistan, 60 against Thailand and a glittering 131 not out against Ireland. Beyond her batting prowess, Bryce also contributed with the ball, taking six wickets during the competition and was ultimately named the Player of the Series.

Hayley Matthews (WI)

A shining light for the West Indies in an otherwise disappointing campaign, Matthews began her Qualifier with a mesmerizing all-round display against Scotland in Lahore, taking four for 56 and striking an unbeaten 114 albeit in defeat. Her tournament-leading 13 wickets at 15.84 included spells of four for 24 against Ireland and two wickets apiece against Pakistan and Bangladesh, before the dramatic final matchup against Thailand, where Matthews’ explosive 70 in 29 balls saw the islanders fall agonizingly short of snatching a World Cup spot on account of net run rate.

Fatima Sana (PAK)

The Pakistan captain enjoyed a fruitful Qualifier as leading wicket-taker for her side with 12 wickets in her five outings at an average of 12.25. After a modest start to her competition, Fatima came to life with four for 23 against Scotland and three wickets each against West Indies and Thailand. With the addition of 103 runs in the lower order, the 23-year-old made progress up the ODI Bowling and All-Rounder Rankings, and seeks to win her first Women’s Player of the Month crown, and first for Pakistan since Sidra Ameen won in November 2022.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for April:

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN)

Nominated for the first time for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award and aiming to be the first Bangladesh player to win since Shakib al Hasan in March 2023, Mehidy enjoyed a prolific April with bat and ball, ending the two-Test encounter as the Player of the Series. Following his ten wickets in the opening defeat in Sylhet (five for 52 and five for 50), the spinner then hit 104 in Chattogram - his second Test century - before another five wicket-haul ensured the honours were shared.

Blessing Muzarabani (ZIM)

The pacer became just the second Zimbabwean to reach 700 rating points in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings in April, reaching the landmark with a Player of the Match performance in the first Test victory over Bangladesh – Zimbabwe’s first away Test win since 2021. After taking three wickets in the first innings and with a healthy lead of 82 heading into the second, Muzarabani conspired to rip through Bangladesh’s top and middle order to claim six for 72 and set up a thrilling three-wicket victory in Sylhet.

Ben Sears (NZ)

Having made his ODI debut for New Zealand in February, Sears has already shown plenty of promise, and caps a fine spell in the format with his maiden nomination for Men’s Player of the Month. Drafted in for the second of three matches against Pakistan, Sears starred alongside Jacob Duffy and Will O’Rourke to unleash a fearsome spell of fast bowling in Hamilton and take his first ODI five-wicket haul (five for 59). He then went back-to-back in Mount Maunganui, returning figures of five for 34 to claim the Player of the Series in a commanding 43-run victory and ensure the 3-0 sweep.

The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process:

The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second week of the month on ICC’s digital channels. 

*Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month:

Afghanistan: Javed Hamim; Australia: Daniel Cherny and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Mazhar Uddin and Md Ariful Islam Roney; England: Chris Stocks and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: S Gomesh and Shivani Gupta; New Zealand: Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sawera Pasha and Sana Mir; South Africa: Zaahier Adams and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Danushka Aravinda and Farveez Maharoof; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Lawrence Trusida; Others: Darren Allan Kyeyune and Kyle Coetzer.